Bristol art auction to get paralysed man back behind wheel

A group aiming to raise £75,000 to get their paralysed Bristol friend back behind the wheel of a car again are holding an urban art auction today.

Bristol City fan Mike Dring was 23-years-old when tragedy struck on March 12, 1996.

Travelling across Siston Common, his car struck a patch of ice, sending his vehicle careering into a ditch, resulting in paralysis from the upper chest down.

Girlfriend Stefanie stuck by him throughout his gruelling rehabilitation and the couple married in 2002.

Now Mr Dring, 37, who lives in Mangotsfield, has immersed himself in the urban art world. With his wife he set up a website to promote the work of local artists.

Now he is preparing to get back behind the wheel of a specially modified vehicle.

And today, in association with Dreweatts and ATGmedia, Mr Dring's friends are holding an urban art auction at The Paintworks in Bath Road, Brislington.

From noon, people will be able to view the works on display, with the auction getting under way at 7pm.

The show will also include a fine art secret postcard sale and people can also buy raffle tickets at £5 each, for the chance to win a piece by portrait artist Vincent Brown.

Mr Dring said: "There has been an absolutely fantastic response."